Oh wow, I love this story! It's so different and original - I never even thought of Bob Blackett not being dead, but of course we never do hear what happened to him. I loved how you started, with him approaching the house by boat, and not being quite clear who he was, and seeing the death head on the boat house made me giggle...

Then, all the details were great - from the historical stuff about Russia to the little things about Nancy and Peggy as teenagers. I don't know why, but Peggy's name in the dust on the piano was a really beautiful moment - I think it's because tiny things like that just bring the scene alive. Everyone was in character - from Nancy, down to Bridget, still a little girl. I'd love to know more - who's Andrew, for example, and what the Walkers are doing in Egypt, and about Thomas Jollys... I'll have to read your other stories now to see if they answer my questions!